Police also said Lu had a PRC flag in his bag but did not shout any slogans during the attack.

“The suspect told us he wanted to express his political stand and therefore went to the Presidential Office, but because he was afraid he would be forcibly removed by the military officers standing guard there, he first stole the sword from the museum for defence,” an officer from a police station near the Presidential Office said.

Lu said he went to the Presidential Office Building area a couple of weeks ago but was too frightened to try to break in, according to police.